To sit, when the nation was standing, was to be a German.

Nor, indeed, was there an Italian in the house who would willingly have consented to see Vittoria silenced, now that she had chosen to defy the Tedeschi from the boards of La Scala.

The fascination of her voice extended even over the German division of the audience.

They, with the Italians, said: 'Hear her! hear her!' The curtain was agitated at the wings, but in the centre it was kept above Vittoria's head by the uplifted arms of the twelve young men:-- 'I cannot count the years, That you will drink, like me, The cup of blood and tears, Ere she to you appears:-- Italia, Italia shall be free!' So the great name was out, and its enemies had heard it.
'You dedicate your lives To her, and you will be The food on which she thrives, Till her great day arrives Italia, Italia shall be free! 'She asks you but for faith! Your faith in her takes she As draughts of heaven's breath, Amid defeat and death:-- Italia, Italia shall be free!' The prima donna was not acting exhaustion when sinking lower in Montini's arms.

Her bosom rose and sank quickly, and she gave the terminating verse:-- 'I enter the black boat Upon the wide grey sea, Where all her set suns float; Thence hear my voice remote Italia, Italia shall be free!' The curtain dropped..